Keywords
contamination
mycotoxins
informal trade
health risk
How to Cite
Abstract
This study evaluated the microbiological contamination risk of 70 samples of 18 psychoactive herbal drugs purchased in the informal trade in Diadema, SP. This analysis was performed according to the parameters established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Brazilian Pharmacopeia. The microbiological quality concerning the bioburden and the occurrence of food-borne risk indicators were evaluated following the official compendia. Besides, the potential production of aflatoxins, ochratoxin A and citrinin by the isolated fungi was assessed. Of the analyzed herbal drugs, 66.7% samples did not comply with the WHO standards in relation to bacterial and fungal load. In accordance with the microorganism contamination risk indicators defined by the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia, the rate of noncompliant herbal drugs increased to 94.4% due to the detection of Enterobacter spp and Aspergillus flavus. In relation to toxigenic potential, none of the fungal isolates showed capability of producing ochratoxin A or citrinin, and four (3.9%) Aspergillus flavus isolates only were able to produce aflatoxins B1 and B2. The poor microbiological quality indicated the need to adequate the herbal drugs informal trade in order to preserve the consumer’s health.References
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